Working hard to remain the first

Pointing out that the Port was an old one and outlining the PANYNJ’s determination to continue its aim of bringing its facilities up to date, Colin Smith, Regional Director for Europe, Middle East and South America said that “the Port Authority has kept up capital investment in new and improved facilities and access throughout the recession and continues to do so. PANYNJ sees the investment as integral to the maintenance of its position as the premier east-coast gateway to the US for both maritime and aviation traffic.”

As a result, heavy investment will continue throughout 2011 with the Port Authority budget including US$81m for redevelopment of the Port-Jersey-Port Authority Marine Terminal. Additionally US$70m has been earmarked for the channel deepening programme, much of which will be completed by the end of 2012 and which will ultimately provide 50 ft (15.2 m depth to all container terminals by 2014 to coincide with the widening of the Panama Canal.

Furthermore, PANYNJ will continue with the programmes to raise the Bayonne Bridge roadbed to approximately 215 feet (65.5 m) in order to overcome the bridge clearance issue, which will pose a navigational problem for larger ships trying to access the Port of New York and New Jersey after the Panama Canal expands in 2014.